Bucharest, 7 November 1997 (RFE/RL) - Romanian reports today say a second minister, Finance Minister Mircea Ciumara, has submitted his resignation ahead of a planned reshuffle of the coalition government. Prime Minister Viktor Ciorbea last night confirmed that Reform Minister Ulm Spineanu has offered his resignation also.
Our correspondent cites political analysts in Bucharest who say it is doubtful either resignation will be accepted, and that the move appears to be a political tactic inside the four-party coalition. Both ministers are members of Ciorbea's senior-coalition partner, the National Peasants Party.
Ciorbea yesterday said the upcoming reshuffle "will not be cosmetic, nor will it be carried out under pressure from the street or the press." The center-right coalition has been criticized by members and opposition leaders alike, for the slow pace of implementing economic reform.